Everything we know about the new Delta Plus variant
After the Delta variant rocked India in a deadly second wave, health authorities have discovered a new variant in three states, known as Delta Plus.
The 22 cases of Delta Plus have emerged in Maharashtra, which has been a kind of epicentre of India's COVID-19 escalation, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh.
Here's what we know about the Delta Plus variant.
The Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 - also known as 2019-nCoV - is shown under a microscope. The virus causes COVID-19. AP
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What is Delta Plus?
Delta Plus (AY.1) is a further mutation of the known Delta variant (B.1.617.2). According to scientists, Delta Plus contains a K417N mutation in its spike protein.
Is it more dangerous than Delta or other variants?
It's too soon to know as there is not enough data.
But India's health ministry today declared Delta Plus a variant of concern (VOC), which is an elevated risk compared to a variant of interest (VOI).
"It is worrisome because we do not know enough about how it is going to behave from here," Om Shrivastava, a member of the Maharashtra Task Force on COVID-19, said.
The known Delta coronavirus variant, which plus has mutated from, is highly transmissible and possibly more dangerous than current predominant variants.
What are the characteristics of Delta Plus?
Indian health officials have said the variant shows increased transmissibility, stronger binding to receptors of lung cells and potential reduction in monoclonal antibody response.
Has Delta Plus been found in other countries?
Yes. The variant was first detected in Europe in March this year and has been reported in eight other countries: the US, UK, Portugal, Switzerland, Japan, Poland, Russia and China.
Will vaccines work against Delta Plus?
Again, it is too soon to know. Scientists are yet to test the effectiveness of vaccines on Delta Plus.
How bad is the current situation in India?
India has the second-largest caseload of COVID-19 in the world with almost 30 million cases and 389,302 reported deaths.
In the week leading up to June 19, 464,391 new cases were registered - down from the previous week's 700,473, and significantly lower than the record 2,737,058 in the week leading up to May 8.
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